Oldham votes to WITHDRAW from controversial Greater Manchester housing scheme… again
Oldham council has voted to withdraw from the Greater Manchester housing scheme, Places for Everyone (PfE), following intense debates. The decision requires council executives to write to the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, to formalize the withdrawal. The scheme, which aims to build 170,000 homes across Greater Manchester, including 11,500 in Oldham, has faced opposition due to its inclusion of greenbelt land. Critics argue the plan prioritizes developer profits over local needs, while supporters warn that withdrawal could leave the borough without protections for greenbelt land and require additional housing developments.
Oldham Council Votes to Withdraw from Places for Everyone Housing Scheme
Article Rewrite:
Following months of fierce debates, Oldham council has voted to withdraw from a controversial housing scheme at an extraordinary meeting held last night (Wednesday).
Council executives will now have to write to the Secretary of State Angela Rayner to request the borough is withdrawn from Places for Everyone (PfE).
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) housing blueprint aims to bring 170,000 new homes to nine Greater Manchester boroughs, including 11,500 in Oldham.
The plans are supposed to use a ‘brownfield-first’ approach to help fight the housing crisis.
But the scheme has long sparked resistance by a campaign run by opposition groups over their inclusion of greenbelt land.
During an extensive debate at the council’s Civic Building, Oldham Lib Dem leader Howard Sykes said: “Expensive luxury housing on the greenbelt is not the answer to the housing crisis.
“This will be a developer and profit-led plan, not a people and need based plan.
“Is Labour really suggesting that the best Oldham can do is back a plan that was designed in Manchester ten years ago, with no idea about the local challenges we face?
“I think we can do better.”
Land in Beal Valley, Bottom Field Farm, Broadbent Moss, south of Coal Pit Lane, and south of Rosary Road are all due to be developed as part of the scheme.
Source: Read original article